The Royals are believed to have turned down an initial offer of around £7million with add-ons, for the 24-year-old.

Long is in demand this summer after hitting 25 goals last term. West Ham will face competition with Reading having told him he can join a Barclays Premier League club, if the price is right, after they failed to gain promotion.

Top-flight sides West Bromwich, Newcastle and Everton have been linked with moves for Long but Hammers boss Sam Allardyce is hoping to persuade the Irishman to stay in the Championship for one more season to spearhead their promotion bid.

West Ham's willingness to spend could also indicate some of their big earners may be on their way out, with Stoke reportedly keen to resurrect their move for Carlton Cole and Scott Parker still a target for Premier League clubs

Big Sam seems to have the knack of game killing and I'm sure the West Ham faithful will accept this season of boring football if he can get them back up at the first attempt, which is very possible.What happens after that though because they won't be very happy about the choice of football he likes to play in the Premier, should they make it back at the first attempt.West Ham United, once known as the academy of football will become the academy of longballitus lol